Top/Best Nikon Entry Level DSLR's of 2017 reviewed and compared

LAST UPDATED: 09/15/2017

If you are looking to get great pictures for a reasonable amount of money (less than $1000), the Entry Level versions of Nikons DSLR's will give you the best possible value for your money.

You should get an entry level/consumer DSLR camera if you have serious aspirations to do creative photography by experimenting with shutter speed, depth of field , bokeh and ISO. It is a platform for photographers with aspirations to learn more about photography before potentially moving up to the full format sensor cameras. It’s a great choice to learn and get started with advanced photography, but if you eventually get ready to move on to a full frame camera you will be stuck with lenses that does not work well with full format cameras. If you have serious ambitions and want to invest in your hobby long-term, please consider cameras in the lower end of the pro/enthusiast segment.

 

Nikon D7200

Nikon D7100

Nikon D5600

Nikon D5500

Nikon D3400

Nikon D3300
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gistGear Recommended Buy (1-6 on the Dice)
The Gist
 If you want an entry level high end easy to use DSLR with many manual control options this is the camera to get. If you are gone shoot largely on "Auto" the D5600 gives you basically the same picture quality for less money. (Older model) High end consumer DSLR with many manual control options compared to lower models If you are gone get a Nikon entry level DSLR this is the one to get. It takes amazing pictures, has the latest connectivity and as long as you will mostly shoot on "Auto" settings there is no reason to get the D7200 (Older model) The D5500 takes amazing pictures for the price and as long as you shoot on "Auto" there is very few reasons to get a more expensive camera This is Nikon's most basic DSLR camera. If you get a great deal on it with several lenses and need something better than your cell phone to take pictures, this is a great option. If you are slightly more serious get the D5600 (Older model) Great starter camera that takes amazing pictures compared to a cell phone or point and shoot camera
Differentiating Features
 Pretty much the same as the previous model (D7100), but it has a bigger memory buffer allowing you to take more rapid fire pictures before having to wait for them to be saved to the memory card.
👍NFC and Wi-Fi to download pictures to your phone
👍Great color accuracy
👍Time lapse movie capability
👍Better layout of top LCD
👍More direct control buttons compared to lower models

👎Not worth the upgrade from D5600 unless you shoot a lot on manual settings

 Upgrade from the previous D7000 model
👍24MP sensor that produces very sharp images.
👍Better color accuracy
👍More Autofocus points
👎Higher resolution screen		 👍Now includes snapbridge that let your camera stay connected and continuously transfer images to you cellphone (no reconnect required).
👍In camera time lapse feature
👍Automatic ISO using the Fn button
👍Good touchscreen interface

👎Minor upgrade from the previous D5500		 👍Fast and easy to use
👍Touch screen
👍Small and portable
👍Optimized for "Auto" mode shooting.
👍Great Image quality
👍Fast autofocus

👍Now includes snapbridge that let your camera stay connected and continuously transfer images to you cellphone (no reconnect required).
👍Very small light and portable(for a DSLR)
👍Quiet and refined
👍Better in low light than D3300

👎 Weaker flash than the D3000, but better low light performance compensates somewhat for this.
👎Only sold as kit including lens.
👎Minor upgrade from the D3300		 👍Very small light and portable(for a DSLR)
👍Quiet and refined
👍Higher frame rate then D3200 (5 Frames per second)
👍Sold in many colors

👎Only sold as kit including lens.
👎Minor upgrade from the D3200
Title
 Nikon D7200 DX-format DSLR Body (Black) Nikon D7100 24.1 MP DX-Format CMOS Digital SLR (Body Only) D5600 DX-format Digital SLR Body Nikon D5500 DX-format Digital SLR Body (Black) Nikon D3400 w/ AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR (Black) Nikon D3300 1532 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II Auto Focus-S DX NIKKOR Zoom Lens 24.2 MP Digital SLR – Black
Features
  • 24.2 MP DX-format CMOS image sensor
  • No Optical Low-Pass Filter (OLPF)
  • 51 point autofocus system
  • 6 frames per second (fps) shooting capacity
  • EXPEED 4 image processing; ISO Sensitivity: ISO 100 - 25,600
  • Built in Wi-Fi and Near Field Communication (NFC) for instant sharing
    • 24.1 megapixed DX-format image sensor
    • Shoot up to 6 frames per second for up to 100 continuous shots
    • Wireless sharing and control with WU-1a adapter (not included)
    • ISO range from 100 to 6400
    • 1080p videos with full-time autofocus and built-in stereo mic
      • 24.2MP DX-Format CMOS Sensor
      • EXPEED 4 Image Processor
      • 3.2" 1.037m-Dot Vari-Angle Touchscreen
      • Full HD 1080p Video Recording at 60 fps
      • SnapBridge Bluetooth and Wi-Fi with NFC
        • 24.2 MP DX-format CMOS sensor with no optical low-pass filter (OLPF)
        • 39-point Autofocus (AF) system
        • 5 frames per second continuous shooting
        • ISO 100 - 25,600
        • High resolution, vari-angle LCD with familiar, smartphone-like touchscreen for easy use
        • 1080/60p HD video capabilities allow for capture of fast-moving subjects or creating slow motion effects
        • Built-in Wi-Fi and smartphone compatibility for instant sharing
          • SnapBridge Bluetooth Connectivity
          • 24.2MP DX-Format CMOS Sensor
          • EXPEED 4 Image Processor
          • No Optical Low-Pass Filter
          • Native ISO 100-25600; 5 fps Shooting. Compatability information: C firmware v. 1.10 and later ( released August 31, 2016 )
            • 24.2 MP CMOS DX-format sensor
            • 5 frames per second continuous shooting
            • 11 AF points with 3D tracking
            • ISO 100-12800 (expandable to 25600)
            • 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps) HD video (MPEG-4/H.264/MOV).The D3300's 11-point Autofocus System locks onto your subjects as soon as they enter the frame and stays with them until you catch the shot you want.
            • 3 inch LCD with 921,000 dots; Lens Compatibility at a Glance***AF-S Lens Required for Autofocus ; Optical Zoom 3x
              Price (09/15/2017)
              Links
              		 - Nikon
              - DxOMark (87 Score)
              		 - Nikon
              - DxOMark (83 Score)
              		 - Nikon
              - DxOMark (84 Score)
              		 - Nikon
              - DxOMark (84 Score)
              		 - Nikon
              - DxOMark (84 Score)
              		 - Nikon
              - DxOMark (82 Score)
              Model Number
              		 1554 1513 1575 1544 1571 1532
              Salesrank in category
              		 1207 1920 1793 3597 274 228
              Category
              		 Photography, camera digital, slr Photography, camera digital, slr Photography, camera digital, slr Photography, camera digital, slr Photography, camera digital, slr Photography, camera digital, slr
              First available on Amazon
              		 2013-03-14 2017-01-04 2015-02-05 2016-09-12 2014-02-06
              Item Dimensions
              		 4.21 x 2.99 x 5.35 inches
              10.7 x 7.6 x 13.6 cm              		 4.21 x 2.99 x 5.35 inches
              10.7 x 7.6 x 13.6 cm              		 2.8 x 3.8 x 4.9 inches
              7.1 x 9.7 x 12.4 cm              		 3.82 x 2.76 x 4.88 inches
              9.7 x 7.0 x 12.4 cm              		 3.86 x 4.88 x 2.97 inches
              9.8 x 12.4 x 7.5 cm              		 3.86 x 2.99 x 4.88 inches
              9.8 x 7.6 x 12.4 cm
              Package Dimensions
              		 5.4 x 6.9 x 13.5 inches
              13.7 x 17.5 x 34.3 cm              		 6.5 x 8.3 x 8.5 inches
              16.5 x 21.1 x 21.6 cm              		 5.4 x 6.6 x 8.7 inches
              13.7 x 16.8 x 22.1 cm              		 5.3 x 6.6 x 8.7 inches
              13.5 x 16.8 x 22.1 cm              		 11.18 x 13.39 x 14.96 inches
              28.4 x 34.0 x 38.0 cm              		 4.02 x 7.01 x 12.01 inches
              10.2 x 17.8 x 30.5 cm
              Reviews
              		 See Amazon Reviews See Amazon Reviews See Amazon Reviews See Amazon Reviews See Amazon Reviews See Amazon Reviews
              Model
              		 D7200 D7100 D5600 D5500 D3400 D3300
              Release Date
              		 2015 2Q 2013 1Q 2016 4Q 2015 1Q 2016 3Q 2014 1Q
              Image processor
              		 EXPEED 4 EXPEED 3 EXPEED 4 EXPEED 4 EXPEED 4 EXPEED 4
              Sensor format
              		 APS-C APS-C APS-C APS-C APS-C APS-C
              Sensor type
              		 CMOS CMOS CMOS CMOS CMOS CMOS
              Sensor manufacturer
              		 Toshiba Toshiba Sony Nikon
              Megapixels
              		 24.2 24.1 24.2 24.1 24.2 24.2
              Focus points
              		 51 51 39 39 11 11
              Metering pixels
              		 2016 2016 2016 2016 420 420
              Viewfinder coverage
              		 1 1 0.95 0.95 0.95 0.95
              Viewfinder magnification
              		 0.94x 0.94x 0.82x 0.82x 0.85x 0.85x
              ISO min (expanded)
              		 100 100 100 100 100 100
              ISO min
              		 100 100 100 100 100 100
              ISO max
              		 25600 6400 25600 25600 25600 12800
              ISO max (expanded)
              		 102400 25600 25600 25600 25600 25600
              LCD monitor
              		 3.2" 1229k dots 3.2" 1229k dots 3.2" 1037k dots 3.2" 1037k dots 3.0" 921k dots 3.0" 921k dots
              Storage media
              		 SD/SDHC/SDXC (×2) SD/SDHC/SDXC (×2) SD, SDHC, SDXC SD, SDHC, SDXC SD, SDHC, SDXC SD, SDHC, SDXC
              Live view
              		 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
              Movie mode
              		 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
              Top continuous shooting speed (frames/sec)
              		 6 6 5 5 5 5
              Weight (g)
              		 675 675 415 420 395 430
              Wi-Fi
              		 Yes (Built-in) - Yes (Built-in) Yes (Built-in) - -
              GPS
              		 GP-1(A) GP-1(A) GP-1(A) + SnapBridge GP-1(A) SnapBridge GP-1(A)
              

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